Entertaining In Your Palm Springs Home – What can Make or Break Your Gathering …

There is definitely an art to hosting a successful gathering in your Palm Springs home. Whether it’s an impromptu get-together to celebrate life and great wine, a formal dinner for colleagues or out-of-town guests, a cozy and romantic dinner party for “just a few of your favorite friends”, or a family-style Italian buffet, knowing how to pull it off successfully is an art!

Knowing what to serve, how to execute your plan and how to leave a lasting impression should not be left up to the gods. With a little planning and a few tips from the experts, your special gathering will come off without a hitch! So … without further ado, the possible pitfalls and pleasing party enhancers for your Palm Springs home event – Cheers!

Planning the Menu for the gathering at your Palm Springs Home – Cheese, Wine, Crackers Anyone?

Planning the menu is a logical place to start and should be done with care and consideration, avoiding haste at all costs. Okay … perhaps a bit exaggerative, but planning the menu is the inception of your beautiful event. The time and energy spent into crafting a well put together menu will be well be well worth it!

Like an appetizer to an entrée, the menu sets the stage! Below are the “Dos and Don’ts” of your tasty treats.

Don’t Overdo it – Your guests are coming to enjoy the social aspect of the event, so don’t overdo it. As Sandra Lee from the Food Network says, “keep it simple.” Achieving elegance and long-lasting impressions can be accomplished with simple dishes, and unless you are Sandra Lee, don’t try and go out of your culinary comfort zone.

Do “Keep it Simple” – Serve what’s in season and choose appetizer and desserts that you can prepare in advance. The best entrees are those that go into the oven just before your guests arrive, giving your Palm Springs home an incredible aroma, while making you look like a culinary genius as you pull it out just before service.

Set the Scene at your Palm Springs Home – atmosphere and ambience are everything.

As we all know, setting the stage for a killer event goes hand and hand with a good time and, don’t be afraid to move furniture around!

Don’t Stop Traffic at your Palm Springs Home – Red is only good for wine and strawberries!

When planning where your food and bar will be placed, give some thought and consideration to “the flow” of guest traffic. Will your guests be able to easily be able to pick up a plate and meander right down the food conga line?

Do Mingle Like Mad! – Mingling is like bread and butter, you simply can’t have one without the other. The key to creating good mingling is separating the food from the bar and creating spaces for people to gather.

Don’t Blast the Music – Overpowering the voices and happy chatter of your Palm Springs guests with loud music is a no-no. Create an enhanced atmosphere oozing with ambience by playing music that harmonizes with the chatter of your guests.

Do Shine a Light on It! – Nothing says party, romance, ambience or atmosphere like the right kind of lighting. Have you ever noticed how the pros do it in your favorite restaurant? The right kind of lighting can make even an empty warehouse look romantic.

Let’s Eat!

A well-laid table will add to the enjoyment of any meal and this can be done with or without the white linen, fine china and crystal.

Don’t Overcrowd the table – giving your guests room to be merry is essential and perhaps subconsciously allows them to feel comfortable and right at home. In addition, an overcrowded table is hazardous … top-heavy wine glasses can easily spill with a slight bump of an elbow or hand reaching for the salt and pepper in between the candlesticks and centerpieces. Keep it simple and clean.

Do Have Fun and Get Creative – it’s a fiesta, so breakout the guacamole bowl and chips and salsa tray! Whatever the theme of your gathering, embellish the table and your surroundings with fun accent colors, linens, glassware, etc.

Let’s Cha-Cha, then Ciao-Ciao before turning into a Palm Springs Pumpkin –

Regardless of your party’s mood, end the evening while everyone is still having a good time. This will make the most memorable impression as the end is the last thing many of your guests will remember.

Don’t end the party too soon – if people are having a good time, let the good times role. If things however start to dwindle down begin the subtle cues for “it’s time to go home.” Turning up the lights, turning down the music and even blowing out some of the remaining candles will indicate to your guests it’s time to leave.

Do Pat Yourself on the Back for a Job Well Done! Congratulations you’ve pulled it off with out a hitch and you’re already thinking about ideas for the next party.

So Cha-Cha, then say Ciao-Ciao until the next time!

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